Ladle nozzle and stopper construction



o. VILLELA 2,791,814

LADLE NOZZLE AND STOPPER CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 14, 1957Filed April 20, 1954 v E\ k IIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIII 1N VEN TOR.

Osbar ville/a I y 4 1 5 o. VILLELA 2,791,814

LADLE NOZZLE AND STOPPER CONSTRUCTION Filed April 20, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Oscar Ville la INVENTOR.

Maui-5am WMW m LADLE NOZZLE AND STOPPER CONSTRUCTION Oscar Villela,Chicago, Ill.

Application April 20, 1954, Serial No. 424,413

4 Claims. (Cl. 22-84) The present invention relates to a ladleconstruction for the pouring of molten metal and more particularlyrelates to a bottom tap ladle and a novel nozzle and nozzle stopperconstruction for the ladle. I The primary object of the invention is toprovide a nozzle construction for a bottom tap ladle whereby the nozzlemay be replaced and removed through the bottom of the ladle.

A highly important object of the invention, ancillary to the primaryobject, is the provision of a novel nozzle stopper means which isdisposed entirely exteriorly of the ladle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel mountingstructure for retaining the nozzle in position within the ladle opening,which includes detachable means for permitting withdrawal of the nozzlethrough the bottom of the ladle.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a-novel nozzlesealing arrangement within the ladle which permits the nozzle taper tobe reversed from the conventional practice.

The last object of the invention to be mentioned specifically is theprovision of a nozzle stopper means including a stopper valve elementwhich presents a smooth seating surface through the nozzle for eachclosing movement of the valve.

In the conventional ladle nozzle and stopper constructions, the ladlenozzle and a nozzle sleeve within the ladle are provided withcorresponding upwardly angled tapers so that the wide or large end ofthe nozzle is disposed in a plane substantially with the lining surfaceof the ladle and the small end of the nozzle abuts the ladle shelladjacent the pouring hole in the shell whereby the downward pressureexerted by the molten metal within the ladle wedgingly seats the nozzledue to the weight of the molten metal. This provides refined means forsealing the nozzle but necessitates removal of the nozzle through thetop of the ladle which, in turn, necessitates cooling the ladle beforeremoval or replacement of the nozzle. Further, in the conventionalpractice, the nozzle stopper is mounted on a refractory coated rod whichextends downwardly within the interior of the ladle closing the mouth fthe nozzle within the ladle. These plugs, however, possess disadvantagesin the fact that they do not always present a smooth seating surface intheir closing action, become quickly worn by the molten metal withinwhich they are immersed at practically all times, and necessitatecontinued and fairly rapid replacement.

Basically, the present invention provides a novel construction foravoiding the aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional systems,being comparable to and less expensive in their installation thanconventional systems:

The foregoing objects and features, together with other objects andadvantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the detailsof construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described ,andclaimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings formnitedSmtes Patent ing a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through the bottom of the ladledisclosing the nozzle and stopper construction of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom of the ladledisclosing more clearly the stopper means and its actuation with thestopper nozzle in closing position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the stopper constructiondisclosing the nozzle closing stopper in open position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a refractory block for sealinglyretaining the nozzle in place in the ladle;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the nozzle block within which thenozzle wedgingly seats;

Figure 6 .is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the planeof section line 66 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the planeof section line 77 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of section line8-8 of Figure 3, disclosing means for holding the nozzle in place;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the nozzle per se; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the nozzle stopperassembly.

In the drawings, a conventional ladle construction is illustrated by thenumeral 10 including an outer metallic shell 12 with a bottom 14 and aninner refractory liner 16. The refractory liner to is provided with arectangular opening 18 in the bottom thereof and the bottom 14 of theshell 12 of the ladle is provided with a hole or opening 20 openingcentrally of the refractory opening 18.

Within the lining opening 18 is disposed a square, hardened, refractoryblock 22 having a downwardly inwardly tapered frusto-conical bore 24through the center thereof, the wide mouth of the bore opening into thetop of the block and the small mouth of the bore opening into the bottomof the block. A sleeve 26 is wedgingly disposed within the bore 24 ofthe block 22 and is provided with an upwardly, inwardly tapering,central frusto-conical bore 28 with the large mouth of the bore being atthe bottom of the sleeve and the small mouthof the bore opening into thetop of the sleeve. The large mouth of the bore of the liner 26 is inregistry with the hole 20 of the ladle shell bottom 14 and the liningsleeve 26 is preferably graphite.

A nozzle 30 has an elongated, upwardly inwardly tapered wall whichwedges into the bore 28 of the sleeve 26, the nozzle 30 also being ofgraphite. The nozzle 30 is provided with an elongated, axial boretherethrough permitting the flow of molten metal through the bottom ofthe ladle. The lower portion 34 of the nozzle projects below the bottom14 of the ladle with a portion of the nozzle bottom being upwardlyinclined, or angularly related to the bottom 14 of the ladle. Theinclined portion of the nozzle bottom is cylindrically concave as at 38for a purpose that will later become apparent, while mounting means 36secured to the bottom 14 of the shell of the ladle contacts the bottomof the nozzle with the exception of the cylindrically concave portion 38to retain the nozzle in place within the ladle.

With this construction, as the weight of the molten metal within theladle presses downwardly on the block 22, sleeve 26 and the top of thenozzle 30, because of the greater weight on the top of the sleeve 26than on the top of the nozzle 30, the sleeve 26 is driven into wedgingengagement with the nozzle 30 sealingly engag-.

ing the upper portion of the nozzle 30 with the sleeve 26, downwardmovement of the nozzle 30- being prevented by the mounting structure 36.Thus, although Patented May 14, 1957 the nozzle taper is the reverse ofthat utilized conventional systems, an effective nozzle seal is stillobtained within the ladle while permitting removal and replacement ofthe nozzle through the bottom of the ladle.

Noting particularly Figure 9, the bottom of the nozzle 30 projectingbelow the ladle shell is generally circular in cross section with a fiatportion 40 leading to an upwardly inclined concave section 38 with anannularly undercut section 42 providing an annular segmental bearingshoulder 44 therearound.

The mounting structure 36 for holding the nozzle 39 Within the sleeve 26comprises a plate 46 conforming to the curve of the cylindrical portion34 of the nozzle 30 projecting below the shell bottom 14, being suitablywelded to the bottom and reinforced in its mounting thereon by thegusset plate 47. The bottom edge of the plate 46 terminates in registrywith flat bottom portion 40 of the nozzle 30 as will be best apparentfrom an examination of Figure 3.

Detachably secured to the bottom edge of the plate 46 and conforming tothe curvature of this bottom edge is a circular plate 48. The plate 48is flat on a segmental portion thereof to test against the fiat bottomportion 40 of the nozzle with the remaining portion of the plate beingareuately curved to follow the contour and bear against the annularbearing shoulder 44 formed on the bottom of the nozzle 30. At itscontacting portion with the segmental plate 46, the circular ring orplate 48 is provided with a pair of apertures through which fasteners 50projecting from the plate 34 project. At its upwardly, arcuatelyinclined portion, the plate 48 is provided with a pair of aperturesthrough which extend further fasteners 50 from the bottom shell 14 ofthe ladle. Transverse slots are provided in the portions of thefasteners 50 projecting through the ring 48 and wedges 52 draw the plate48 into engagement with the bottom edge of the segmental plate 46 andthe bottom 14 of the shell. The circular plate 48 is provided with acentral aperture 56 through which the concave bottom portion 38 of thenozzle 30 projects.

Thus, to remove the nozzle 39 for replacement, the pins 52 are simplyremoved from the fasteners and the plate or washer 48 removed allowingwithdrawal of the nozzle from or through the bottom of the ladle. Thenew nozzle is then inserted, the plate 48 replaced and the pins 52driven into place.

To close the nozzle orifice opening into the bottom of the nozzle fromthe bore 32, stopper means 54 is provided. This stopper means includeshorizontal guide tracks 56 disposed on opposite sides of the nozzle 39and suspended from the bottom shell 14 of the ladle by means of braces58. An axle 60 extends between the guide tracks 56 and is slidably androtatably supported for horizontal forward and rearward movement withinthe guide tracks. Mounted on the axle is a cylindrical member 62 havinga graphite coating 64 on the cylindrical wall thereof. The axle is sodisposed that the cylinder 62 in its forward and rearward movement alongthe guide track 56 will abut the concave surface 38 and be released fromsuch abutment thereby closing or opening the nozzle orifice dependingupon its direction of movement.

The ends of the axle 60 project beyond the guide tracks 56 and aresecured to the free ends of legs 63 of a U-shaped yoke 65. The bightportion 66 of the yoke is rigidly secured centrally thereof to the endof a plunger 68 reciprocally disposed within the fluid operated cylinderand piston assembly 70. The plunger 68 is, of course, extended andretracted by the incidence of fluid pressure on opposite sides of thepiston (not shown) attached to the plunger 68 and disposed within thecylinder 79, this pressure being applied through fluid lines 72. Thecylin- 4 pended from the bottom 14 of the ladle by suitable braces 74.

In order to present a different portion of the cylindrical surface 64 ofthe drum or cylindrical member 62 to the concave face 38 of the nozzleupon each closing movement of the drum, ratchet wheels 76 are providedon the axle 60 at opposite ends of the drum 62. Spring pawls 78suspended from arms 80 secured to the bottom of the ladle 14 normallyengage the teeth of the ratchets 76 when the drum 62 is in itsrearwardmost position in the guide tracks 56. As the drum 62 is movedforwardly upon extension of the plunger 68 from the cylinder 70, thepawls 78 catching the teeth of the ratchets 76 spin the drum 62 aportion of a revolution. In order to prevent the drum from rotating atthe end of its forward movement through the guide tracks 56, theratchets 76 are provided with circumferentially spaced recesses 82 whichengage spring pressed locking detents 84 mounted on the guide tracks 56at the foremost movement of the drum 62. Thus, each time the drum ismoved forwardly into nozzle closing position seating against the concavesurface 38 of the nozzle, a clean graphite surface of the drum isexposed. As the drum is retracted, the friction of the axle sliding inthe guide tracks 56 is sufficient to cam the resilient pawl 78 intoposition against the teeth without rotating the drum in the reversedirection. Of course, when the drum has made a complete revolu tion orseveral complete revolutions it will be necessary to knock off the nowhardened metal which may have accumulated thereon.

The invention provides a novel arrangement whereby the heaviest wearingparts of the ladle nozzle and stopper assembly may either be removedthrough the bottom of the ladle or serviced completely exteriorly of theladle consequently effecting savings in both labor and material overconventional systems.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a ladle construction having a bottom opening, a nozzle having abore therethrough, means for mounting .said nozzle in said opening forremoval and insertion through the bottom of the ladle, said meansincluding a member communicating with said opening and forming anupwardly tapered, frustoconical passage into the ladle interior, saidnozzle having an upwardly tapered per-tion conforming to and wedginglyseating in said passage, said nozzle having a portion thereof projectingbelow the bottom of the ladle, detachable means on the ladle bottomretaining said nozzle in position in said passage, stopper means forsaid nozzle carried by the liadle for straight line movement generallyparallel to the bottom thereof and engageable with the projectingportion of said nozzle to close the nozzle bore, said nozzle having anupwardly angled cone-ave bottom portion, said stopper means including avalve element conforming to and seating in the nozzle bottom concavity,said valve element comprising a cylinder, said upwardly angled nozzlebottom portion being cylindrically concave.

2. In a ladle having a bottom opening, a nozzle disposed in saidopening, the bottom of said nozzle being disposed below the ladle bottomand having a portion thereof incline-d to the ladle bottom, said nozzlehaving a bore therethrough opening into the inclined bottom portionthereof, stopper means for seating against said inclined portion, meanscarrying said stopper means mounted on said ladle for linearly movingsaid stopper means into and out of seating engagement with said nozzle,said inclined bottom 2,791,814 5 6 portion being concavely arcuated,said stopper means References Cited in the file of this patentcomprising a cylindrical member, and means for rotating UNITED STATESPATENTS said stopper means a portion of a revolution each time the l 7311,902 Lewis Feb, 10, 1885 3x 2222111? mdmed 5 329,491 Schulze-BergeNov, 3, 1885 3. The ladle of claim 2 wherein there are a pair of 1 9Merv/mar 16, guide tracks beneath the bottom of the ladle, an axle 4500138 MOYIIS 189:! carried by said guide tracks, said cylindricalmember be- 1,207,251 Wettengel 1915 ing carried by saidaxle, 2,252,635Karl Aug. 12, 1941 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for10 2,268,482 Harvey 941 rotating said stopper means a portion of arevolution each FOR G PATENTS time the same is moved into seatedrelation with said in- 171 189 Austria y 10 1952 dined bottom portioncomprises :a ratchet and pawl op- 1832 41 Great B July 1922 erativelyconnected to said cylindrical member at one end thereof. 15 547,568Germany Apr. 8, 1932

